The Tim Ferriss Show

#800: Ev Williams — The Art of Pivoting (e.g., Odeo to Twitter), Strategic Quitting, The Dangers of Premature Scaling, Must-Read Books, and More

1358 snips
Mar 19, 2025
Ev Williams, co-founder of Blogger, Medium, and Twitter, shares insights from his latest venture, Mosey, a social network for in-person connections. He reflects on the challenges of scaling Medium, emphasizing the need to avoid premature expansion. The conversation dives into the nostalgic beginnings of Twitter and the evolution of digital communication. Williams also discusses strategic quitting, the importance of human skills in an AI-driven world, and personal growth through self-discovery. His journey reveals what it takes to pivot and innovate in tech.
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First Internet Product

  • Ev Williams' first internet product was a VHS tape about using the internet, created in 1994.
  • It covered topics like FTP and the web, breaking even despite a low budget.
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Shifting Meaning of Social

  • The meaning of "social" has shifted from in-person interaction to online activities.
  • Ev Williams, despite coming from a small town, focused on information and ideas online, not primarily social connection.
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Odeo and Strategic Quitting

  • Ev Williams' Odeo, a podcasting company, faced unexpected competition from Apple's iTunes podcast integration.
  • Despite not failing completely, he chose to stop pursuing it due to a lack of personal interest.
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